Photographic printing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Photographic printing apparatus for printing a relatively large print and one or more relatively small prints of a single negative and of a predetermined size ratio in side-by-side relationship on a print paper. The apparatus includes a film carrier and a print paper support. A relatively short focal length lens device is provided for receiving light transmitted through the frame of a film carried on the film carrier and focusing it on print paper positioned on the print paper support to form a relatively large image for printing the relatively large print. Light re-directing means is provided for receiving light transmitted through the film frame and directing it around the relatively short focal length device and one or more relatively long focal length lens devices are provided for receiving such light and focusing it on the print paper to form one or more relatively small images adjacent the relatively large image to print the relatively small prints and to thereby enable the relatively large and relatively small prints to be printed side-by-side on the print paper to conserve print paper and minimize the amount of print paper trimming required.

United States Patent Harman, Jr. [451 Apr. 18, 1972 [54] PHOTOGRAPHICPRINTING 57 ABSTRACT APPARATUS Photographic printing apparatus forprinting a relatively large [72] Inventor: John N. Harman, Jr., LaCanada, Calif. print and one or more relatively small prints of a singlenegative and of a predetermined size ratio in side-by-side relationlAsslgneei f Photocolol' Corporation Burbank ship on a print-paper. Theapparatus includes a film carrier Cahf and a print paper support. Arelatively short focal length lens [22] Filed: June 1, 1970 device isprovided for receiving light transmitted through the frame of afilm-carried on the film carrier and focusing it on PP N05 41,979 printpaper positioned on the print paper support to form a relatively largeimage for printing the relatively large print. u 3 5 51 355 54, Lightre-dlrecting means is provided for receiving light trans- [52] U 8 Cl 5355064 mitted through the film frame and directing it around the rela-[5 l 1 1m CL G031, 27/44 tively short focal length device and one ormore relatively long [58] Field 5 5 I46 54 43 51 64 focal length lensdevices are provided for receiving such light and focusing it on theprint paper to form one or more rela- 56] References Cited tively smallimages adjacent the relatively large image to print the relatively smallprints and to thereby enable the relatively UNITED STATES PATENTSlzlalrge and relatively small prints to be printeddside-by-side gn t eprint paper to conserve print paper an minimize t e ficllliwarldt et al...355/54 I amount of prim paper trimming required 0 nso 3,401,594 9/1968Daugherty.. 3,424,527 l/l969 Bremson, Jr ..355/46 X PrimaryE.raminerSamuel S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerRichard A. WintercomAttorney-Fulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee & Utecht 6 Claims, 5 DrawingFigures PATENTEDAPR 18 m2 3. 6 56. 8 5 0 FIG.|

"3% FIG.5

INVENTOR.

Ame/vans 1 PHOTOGRAPIIIC PRINTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates tophotographic printing devices for automatically printing a selectednumber of different sized prints of a single negative.

2. Description of the Prior Art Photographic printing apparatuses havebeen proposed which include means for printing side-bY-side prints ofdifferent size from a single negative. Photographic apparatus of thistype is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,400,896. However, 7

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The photographic printing apparatus of presentinvention is characterized by a film carrier, print paper support andlight means for projecting light through a film frame positioned on thefilm carrier and onto print paper carried on the print paper carrier. Afirst lens device is provided for focusing a relatively large image onthe print paper to print a relatively large print. Light re-directingmeans is provided for receiving light projected through the frame anddirecting it through one or more second lenses to focus one or morerelatively small images on the print paper adjacent the relatively largeimage thereby enabling such prints to be printed side-by-side.

An object of the present invention is to provide a photographic printingapparatus which prints different sized prints in side-by-siderelationship without requiring trimming of the borders of either print.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a photographicprinting apparatus of the type described for simultaneously printing acombination of different sized prints that heretofore could not beprinted simultaneously.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a photographicprinting apparatus of the type described which is relatively compact. 1

These and other objects and the advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a consideration of the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Thephotographic apparatus of present invention includes, generally, a filmcarrier 11 for positioning a strip of film to be printed and a printpaper support 13 for supporting photographically sensitized printingpaper 15 on which the printsare to be printed. A light 17 is providedfor projecting light through the selected film frames and onto the printpaper 15.

A first lens device 21 is provided for projecting image light along along a selected axis to focus a relatively large image 23 on the printpaper and a second lens device 27 is provided for focusing a pluralityof relatively small images 31 on the print paper 15 adjacent the image21 to print a plurality of relatively small prints immediately adjacentthe relatively large print. The first lens 21 blocks the direct lightpath from the light 17 to the print area 31 so a light re-directingmeans, generally designated 35, is provided for receiving lightprojected through the film frame and directing it through the secondlens device 27 and onto the print paper 15 at 31.

The photographic printing apparatus of present invention is particularlyadapted for printing school childrens pictures wherein a photographervisits the individual schools and photographs each student on a roll offilm to provide a series of negatives of each student. The negatives areindexed and each student orders a combination of different sizedphotographs. It is desirable to provide a selection which makes both arelatively large 8 X 10 print 23 and a relatively small 1% X 2 /2 inchprints 31 available for selection by the student.

Commercially available print paper is available in a 10-inch wide stripand, consequently, it is desirable to print one of the large prints 23arranged crosswise of the print paper 15 and four of the relativelysmall prints 31 disposed in stacked relationship crosswise of such printpaper and adjacent the print 23. However, the distance between the filmmount 11 and print paper mount 13 is generally about 2% feet and thefocal lengths of the respective lens devices 21 and 27 dictate that thelens device 21 for the relatively large print 23 must be disposed in thedirect light path from the light 17, through the negative, to the areaon which the relatively small prints 31 are to be printed. Consequently,light from the light device 17 to the second lens device 27 is blockedby such lens device 21 thereby preventing direct transmission of lightto print the relatively small prints 31.

This difficulty is overcome by providing the light bending orre-directing device 35 which includes a pair of mirrors 41 and 43 whichare arranged with parallel confronting faces disposed at an angle ofapproximately thirty degrees to the vertical and separated so that lightprojected from the light device 17 and through the film 17 will bedirected to the second lens device 27 and onto the print paper. The lensdevice 27 includes four separate sets of lens elements for focusing fouridentically sized images 31 on the print paper 15 to print fouridentically sized prints.

A rotary shutter 42 is provided for controlling the light from thelenses 21 and 27 to control the exposure time.

The film carrier 11 includes a feed spool and a take-up spool whichcooperate to advance the film incrementally at distances equal to thewidth of a frame representing the width of a single negative.

Interposed between the film carrier 11 and the print paper 13 is a lensturret, generally designated 45, which includes four downwardlyprojecting hollow lens housings 47, 49, 51 and 53 which have particularsets of lenses mounted therein for printing a particular combination ofprints on the print paper 15 when the particular housing is registeredin the optical axis between the film mount 11 and print paper 15. Thehousing 47 has the lens sets 21 and 27 and light redirecting device 35mounted therein.

Mounted immediately below the print paper stretched between the spoolsof the print support 13 is a light mask, generally designated 52, whichis formed with a relatively large rectangular aperture 54 for definingthe print area of the print 23 and four relatively small apertures 55arranged in stacked relationship for defining the print area of theprints 31, the frame between such apertures blocking light to the printpaper 15 to form well-defined picture borders.

'In operation, the film strip to be printed is positioned in the filmcarrier 11 and the photographic printing apparatus actuated to energizethe light 17 and the drive motors for the film carrier 11, shutter 42,lens turret 45, and print paper support 13. The apparatus willautomatically advance the first frame of film into the optical axis andwill advance the particular cone 47, 49, 51 or 53 containing the lensset which will provide the desired combination of prints into theoptical axis and the shutter 42 will be energized to print that set ofprints.

When the lens mounting cone 47 is advanced into the optical axis and, ifeither the large print 23 or set of small prints 31, or both, have beenprogrammed, the shutter 42 will be opened to project light through thelens device 21 and onto the print paper area for the print 23. Lightwill also be projected to the face of the mirror 41 and reflectedtherefrom to the face of the mirror 43 and then through the lenses 27 tothe respective apertures 54 and 55 and onto the print paper area for theprints 31. Consequently, the prints 23 and 31 will be printed inrelatively close relationship and need only be cut apart with norequirements for additional trimming as would be the case if they wereseparated by a greater distance.

It will be clear that if only one or the other of the print sizes 23 or31 is to be printed, then the aperture 54 or 55 for the other print sizewill be closed.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the photographic printingapparatus of present invention provides a convenient means for printingdifferent sized prints in side-by-side relationship to thereby eliminatethe requirement for excessive trimming and providing print sizes inproportions which were heretofore unavailable.

Various modifications and changes may be made with regard to theforegoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

lclaim:

l. Photographic printing apparatus for printing relatively large andrelatively small prints of predetermined size ration disposed adjacentone another on print paper, said apparatus comprising:

a film carrier;

a print paper support spaced from said film carrier for positioning saidprint paper; i

light means for projecting light through film positioned on said filmcarrier and onto print paper on said print paper carrier;

a relatively short focal length lens device for receiving image lightprojected through a frame of said film to direct said image light alonga selected optical path to focus a relatively large image on said printpaper to print said relatively large print;

light re-directing means for receiving light projected from .image onsaid print paper adjacent said relatively large image to print saidrelatively small print adjacent said relatively large print whereby saidrelatively large and relatively small prints of predetermined size ratiomay be printed simultaneously in relatively close spaced relationship.

2. Photographic printing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said light re-directing means includes a pair of reflectors arranged inspaced relationship with one of said reflectors having a reflectivesurface disposed in the path of light projected from said light meansand through said film frame and the other reflector having a reflectivesurface disposed in the path of light reflected from said firstreflector to direct said light through said relatively long focal lengthlens device and onto said print paper to form said relatively smallimage.

3. Photographic printing apparatus as set froth in claim 1 wherein:

said relatively long focal length lens device includes a plurality oflens sets for focusing a plurality of relatively small images on saidprint paper.

4. Photographic printing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 I carrier andformed with a frame defining apertures for passage of light to printsaid prints, the frame around said apertures blocking light to saidprint paper to form well-defined print borders.

5. Photographic printing apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

said relatively short focal length lens device includes a plurality oflens elements for focusing a plurality of relatively small images onsaid print paper.

6. Photographic printing apparatus as set forth in claim 2 thatincludes:

an opaque light mask mounted adjacent said print paper mount and formedwith a frame defining apertures for passage of light to print saidprints, the frame around said apertures blocking light to said printpaper to form well defined print borders.

1. Photographic printing apparatus for printing relatively large andrelatively small prints of predetermined size ration disposed adjacentone another on print paper, said apparatus comprising: a film carrier; aprint paper support spaced from said film carrier for positioning saidprint paper; light means for projecting light through film positioned onsaid film carrier and onto print paper on said print paper carrier; arelatively short focal length lens device for receiving image lightprojected through a frame of said film to direct said image light alonga selected optical pAth to focus a relatively large image on said printpaper to print said relatively large print; light re-directing means forreceiving light projected from said light means and re-directing it toproject at an angle to said selected optical path to be projected aroundsaid relatively short focal length lens device and be directed towardsaid print paper; and a relatively long focal length lens device forreceiving light from said light re-directing means to focus a relativelysmall image on said print paper adjacent said relatively large image toprint said relatively small print adjacent said relatively large printwhereby said relatively large and relatively small prints ofpredetermined size ratio may be printed simultaneously in relativelyclose spaced relationship.
 2. Photographic printing apparatus as setforth in claim 1 wherein: said light re-directing means includes a pairof reflectors arranged in spaced relationship with one of saidreflectors having a reflective surface disposed in the path of lightprojected from said light means and through said film frame and theother reflector having a reflective surface disposed in the path oflight reflected from said first reflector to direct said light throughsaid relatively long focal length lens device and onto said print paperto form said relatively small image.
 3. Photographic printing apparatusas set forth in claim 1 wherein: said relatively long focal length lensdevice includes a plurality of lens sets for focusing a plurality ofrelatively small images on said print paper.
 4. Photographic printingapparatus as set forth in claim 1 that includes: an opaque light maskmounted adjacent said print paper carrier and formed with a framedefining apertures for passage of light to print said prints, the framearound said apertures blocking light to said print paper to formwell-defined print borders.
 5. Photographic printing apparatus as setforth in claim 2 wherein: said relatively short focal length lens deviceincludes a plurality of lens elements for focusing a plurality ofrelatively small images on said print paper.
 6. Photographic printingapparatus as set forth in claim 2 that includes: an opaque light maskmounted adjacent said print paper mount and formed with a frame definingapertures for passage of light to print said prints, the frame aroundsaid apertures blocking light to said print paper to form well definedprint borders.